Damping vibration in coiled tubing

ABSTRACT

A body defines a feedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate axially within the body. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. The mandrel is arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to coiled tubing operations within wellbores.

BACKGROUND

Extended-reach wells (ERWs) are long, horizontal wellbores that oftenhave open completions. A well is classified as “extended-reach” basedoff of measured depth to the true vertical depth ratio. Generally,extended-reach wells have a measured depth to the true vertical depthratio greater than two. For example, if the total vertical depth is6,000 feet, to be classed as an extended-reach well, the measured depthshould be at least 12,000 feet. Extended-reach wells are useful as alarge volume of a reservoir can be produced from a single location.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes technologies relating to damping vibrations incoiled tubing.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is acoiled tubing vibration damper with the following features. A bodydefines a feedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to anouter periphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outwardfrom the body. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate axiallywithin the body. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. Themandrel is arranged to move within the body, the mandrel havingsufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can becombined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or incombination with other aspects, can include the following. The bodyincludes corrugated metal tubing.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can becombined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or incombination with other aspects, can include the following. Electricalcables extend through the feedthrough passage.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can becombined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or incombination with other aspects, can include the following. Thefeedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an environment outsidethe body.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can becombined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or incombination with other aspects, can include the following. The bowsprings include three bow springs.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can becombined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or incombination with other aspects, can include the following. Slidingcollars encircle the body. The sliding collars are connected to each endof the bow springs. The sliding collars are configured to axially moveresponsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is amethod with the following features. Axial and lateral vibrations arereceived by a coiled tubing vibration damper. The axial and lateralvibrations are dampened by the coiled tubing vibration damper. Thecoiled tubing vibration damper includes mass-spring damping components.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. Damping the vibration by the coiled tubing vibration damperincludes damping axial vibrations by a mandrel and an internal coilspring within a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. Damping the vibrations by the coiled tubing vibration damperincludes damping lateral vibrations by a plurality of bow springs.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. The bow springs are in tension. The bow springs surround andconnect to an outer periphery of a body of the coiled tubing vibrationdamper. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. The bow springs are in tension.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. The bow springs are collapsed such that a radial extension ofthe bow springs is reduced. The coiled tube vibration damper is passedthrough a slim section of a wellbore.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. The bow springs, are expanded such that the radial extensionof the bow springs is increased after passing through the slim sectionof the wellbore.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. Damping the vibrations includes damping lateral vibrations bya corrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. Damping the vibrations includes damping axial vibrations by acorrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the examplemethod alone or in combination with other aspects, can include thefollowing. Vibration is received from a vibration sub by the coiledtubing vibration damper.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is awellbore system with the following features. A vibration sub is attachedto a length of coiled tubing. A logging tool is attached to the lengthof coiled tubing. A vibration damper is attached to the length of coiledtubing. The vibration damper is between the vibration sub and thelogging tool. The vibration damper includes a body defining afeedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to an outerperiphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outward from thebody. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate actually within thebody. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. The mandrel isarranged to move within the body. The mandrel has sufficient inertia todampen vibrations.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with theexample wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, caninclude the following. The body includes corrugated metal tubing.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with theexample wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, caninclude the following. Optical cables extend through the feedthroughpassage.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with theexample wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, caninclude the following. The feedthrough passage is fluidically isolatedfrom an outside environment.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with theexample wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, caninclude the following. Sliding collars are coupled to the body. Thesliding collars are connected to each end of the bow springs. Thesliding collars are configured to axially move responsive to deflectionof the plurality of bow spring.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in thisdisclosure can be implemented so as to realize one or more of thefollowing advantages. The subject matter described herein reduces themean time between failures of logging tools used in vibrational assistedcoiled tubing for extended-reach wells. Alternatively or in addition,the subject matter described herein can improve logging data quality byremoving vibrations when the mechanical vibration tool is running. Suchdamping can result in better quality data for all logging sensors withinthe logging sub.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matterdescribed in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawingsand the description. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings,and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example well system.

FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of an example coiled tubingdamper.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method that can be used with aspects of thisdisclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Successful reservoir surveillance and production monitoring is used tomanage field production strategy. For production logging in open-hole,horizontal extended-reach wells, one of the major challenges to logginglong horizontal sections is to cover the entire open-hole to targetdepth. Real-time production logging for extended-reach wells issometimes deployed on coiled tubing. Frictional and drag forces act onthe coiled tubing and increase cumulatively the further the coiledtubing travels along the horizontal section. For the extended-reachwells, these forces eventually cause sinusoidal buckling, followed byhelical buckling, and finally no further downhole progression can bemade. To increase the reach along the hole for extended-reach wells, adownhole mechanical vibration sub is placed on the bottom hole assembly(the downhole end of the coiled tubing) adding axial vibration. In someinstances, vibration subs are powered hydraulically by pumping aselected fluid from the surface, and the hydraulic energy is convertedby the sub to generate pressure pulses that excite the coiled tubing.The pulses cause the coiled tubing to break physical contact between thecoiled tubing and the inner surface of the extended-reach wellbore,reducing the frictional forces and delaying the onset of coiled tubinghelical buckling. The friction reduction results in more efficientweight transfer, quicker coiled tubing travel downhole, and increaseddownhole reach. However, vibration subs can cause issues with loggingtools on the same string of coiled tubing. The excessive vibration candamage the delicate mechanical devices, sensors, and electronics of thelogging tools.

This disclosure relates to damping vibrations in a coiled tubing stringthat uses vibrational assist for horizontal extended-reach wells. Thedamper is placed between the vibration sub (located, for example, at thedownhole end of the coiled tubing string) and a logging tool on the endof the string. The damper includes corrugated metal tubing with anelectrical feed-through. Additionally, bow springs surround thecorrugated metal tubing, and coiled springs extend through the damper atleast the length of the bow springs.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example well system 100. Theexample well system 100 includes a wellbore 102 within a geologicformation 104. At an uphole end of the wellbore 102 is a topsidefacility 106. The topside facility 106 includes any pumps, compressors,separators, and safety devices for wellbore operations. From the topsidefacility extends a workstring 108 extending from the topside facility106 towards a downhole end of the wellbore 102. In some implementations,a derrick 103 can be used to support the workstring 108. Whileillustrated as being supported by the derrick 103, the workstring can besupported in other ways, for example, by a coiled tubing truck.

The workstring 108 itself can include coiled tubing 110, productiontubing, a drill pipe, or any other type of tubular suitable for wellboreoperations. Throughout this disclosure, coiled tubing 110 is primarilydescribed as the tubular for the workstring 108; however, other tubularscan be used without departing from this disclosure. As illustrated, theworkstring 108 includes a length of coiled tubing 110 with a vibrationsub 112 attached to a downhole end of the coiled tubing 110. Similarly,a logging tool 114 is attached to the coiled tubing 110 near thedownhole end of the coiled tubing 110. Between the vibration sub 112 andthe logging tool 114 is a vibration damper 116 attached to the length ofcoiled tubing 110. While illustrated as including a vibration sub at adownhole end of the workstring 108, the vibration sub 112 can be placedanywhere along the length of the workstring 108 as the vibration assistsin the workstring 108 traveling through the wellbore 102. Regardless ofthe location of the vibration sub 112, a vibration damper 116 is locatedbetween a logging tool 114 and a vibration sub 112.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example coiled tubing vibration damper 116.The damper 116 includes a body 202 that defines one or more feedthroughpassages 204. In some implementations, such feedthrough passages areused to move drilling fluids, move well fluids, or to extend cables(such as optical or electrical) through the damper 116. Such feedthroughpassages are isolated from the outside environment (such as a wellbore)within the body 202 of the damper 116. In some implementations, the bodyis made of corrugated metal tubing 205. The corrugated metal tubing 205allows for protection of components within the damper 116 whileproviding enough flection to at least partially dampen axial, lateral,and torsional vibrations

The damper 116 includes bow springs 208 that surround and connect to anouter periphery of the body 202. The bow springs 208 extend radiallyoutward from the body 202 and can at least partially center thevibration damper 116 within the wellbore 102. The bow springs 208 areattached to the damper 116 by sliding collars 212 encircling the body.The sliding collars 212 are connected to each end of the plurality ofbow springs. The sliding collars 212 are configured to axially moveresponsive to deflection of the bow springs 208. For example, if the bowsprings 208 are deflected towards the body 202, then the collars 212will slide axially away from one another. In general, the bow springs208 are arranged equidistant around the central axis of the body 202 tosurround the body 202. For sufficient damping, centering, or both,multiple bow springs 208 are used on the damper 116. For example, insome implementations, three bow springs 208 are used. In someimplementations, four bow springs 208 are used. In some implementations,five bow springs 208 are used. In some implementations, six bow springs208 are used. Other counts of bow springs can be used without departingfrom this disclosure.

Within the body 202 is one or more internal coiled springs 206 arrangedto actuate axially within the body 202. A mandrel 210 abuts an end ofthe coiled spring 206. In some implementations, the mandrel 210 isattached to the internal coiled spring 206, for example, by welding,brazing, sintering, or securing by a fastener. Regardless of theinternal coiled spring 206 being attached, the mandrel 210 is arrangedto move axially within the body 202. In some implementations, themandrel 210 moves in unison with the end of the internal coiled springabutting the mandrel 210. The mandrel 210 has sufficient inertia,through friction or mass, to at least partially dampen vibrations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 that can be used with aspects ofthis disclosure, such as operating with the damper 116. At 302, axialand lateral vibrations are received by a coiled tubing vibration damper116. At 304, the axial and lateral vibrations are dampened by the coiledtubing vibration damper 116. The coiled tubing vibration damper 116includes mass-spring damping components. Several components within thecoiled tubing vibration damper 116 are used to dampen the vibrations.For example, in some instances, axial vibrations are at least partiallydampened by the mandrel 210 and the internal coiled springs 206 withinthe corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116.In some implementations, lateral vibrations are at least partiallydampened by the bow springs 208. In some implementations, lateralvibrations are at least partially dampened by the corrugated metal body202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. In some implementations,axial vibrations are at least partially dampened by a corrugated metalbody 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. In someimplementations, torsional vibrations are at least partially dampened bya corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116.

In some instances, the vibration is received by the coiled tubingvibration damper 116 from the vibration sub 112. In some instances, thevibration is received from fluid flowing through the coiled tubing 110.In some instances, the vibration is received from the coiled tubingtraveling through the wellbore 102.

As previously described, the bow springs 208 are in tension, surroundingand connecting to the outer periphery of a corrugated metal body 202 ofthe coiled tubing vibration damper 116. The bow springs 208 extendradially outward from the body and can be used to dampen vibrations aswell as center the damper 116 within the wellbore 102.

In some instances, parts of the wellbore 102, such as a slim section,have a smaller diameter than the rest of the wellbore 102. In suchinstances, the bow springs 208 are collapsed such that a radialextension of the bow springs 208 is reduced. Such a reduction ispossible due to the sliding collars 212. Once the damper 116 encountersthe smaller diameter portion of the wellbore, the bow springs 208 impactthe wall of the wellbore 102, and collapse responsive to theinterference created by the wellbore 102 and the bow springs 208. Thecollapse of the bow springs 208 presses the sliding collars 212 awayfrom one another. Once collapsed, the coiled tube vibration damper 116is passed through a slim section of the wellbore 102. After passingthrough the slim section of the wellbore 102, the bow springs 208 areexpanded, such that the radial extension of the bow springs 208 isincreased.

While this disclosure contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particularimplementations. Certain features that are described in this disclosurein the context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theimplementations described above should not be understood as requiringsuch separation in all implementations, and it should be understood thatthe described components and systems can generally be integratedtogether in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

Thus, particular implementations of the subject matter have beendescribed. Other implementations are within the scope of the followingclaims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can beperformed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. Inaddition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do notnecessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, toachieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coiled tubing vibration damper comprising: abody defining a feedthrough passage; a plurality of bow springssurrounding and connected to an outer periphery of the body, theplurality of bow springs extending radially outward from the body; aninternal coil spring arranged to actuate axially within the body; and amandrel abutting an end of the coiled spring, the mandrel arranged tomove within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampenvibrations.
 2. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, whereinthe body comprises corrugated metal tubing.
 3. The coiled tubingvibration damper of claim 1, wherein electrical cables extend throughthe feedthrough passage.
 4. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim1, wherein the feedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from anenvironment outside the body.
 5. The coiled tubing vibration damper ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of bow springs comprise three bowsprings.
 6. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of sliding collars encircling the body, theplurality of sliding collars connected to each end of the plurality ofbow springs, the sliding collars configured to axially move responsiveto deflection of the plurality of bow spring.
 7. A method comprising:receiving axial and lateral vibrations by a coiled tubing vibrationdamper; and damping the axial and lateral vibrations by the coiledtubing vibration damper, the coiled tubing vibration damper comprisingmass-spring damping components.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereindamping the vibration by the coiled tubing vibration damper comprisesdamping axial vibrations by a mandrel and an internal coil spring withina body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein damping the vibrations by the coiled tubing vibration dampercomprises damping lateral vibrations by a plurality of bow springs. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of bow springs are intension, the plurality of bow springs surround and connect to an outerperiphery of a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper, the pluralityof bow springs extend radially outward from the body.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: collapsing the plurality of bow springssuch that a radial extension of the bow springs is reduced; and passingthe coiled tube vibration damper through a slim section of a wellbore.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: expanding the pluralityof bow springs, such that the radial extension of the bow springs isincreased, after passing through the slim section of the wellbore. 13.The method of claim 7, wherein damping the vibrations comprises dampinglateral vibrations by a corrugated metal body of the coiled tubingvibration damper.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein damping thevibrations comprises damping axial vibrations by a corrugated metal bodyof the coiled tubing vibration damper.
 15. The method of claim 7,further comprising receiving vibration from a vibration sub by thecoiled tubing vibration damper.
 16. A wellbore system comprising: alength of coiled tubing; a vibration sub attached to the length ofcoiled tubing; a logging tool attached to the length of coiled tubing;and a vibration damper attached to the length of coiled tubing, thevibration damper being between the vibration sub and the logging tool,the vibration damper comprising: a body defining a feedthrough passage;a plurality of bow springs surrounding and connected to an outerperiphery of the body, the bow springs extending radially outward fromthe body; an internal coil spring arranged to actuate actually withinthe body; and a mandrel abutting an end of the coiled spring, themandrel arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficientinertia to dampen vibrations.
 17. The wellbore system of claim 16,wherein the body comprises corrugated metal tubing.
 18. The wellboresystem of claim 16, wherein optical cables extend through thefeedthrough passage.
 19. The wellbore system of claim 16, wherein thefeedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an outside environment.20. The wellbore system of claim 16, further comprising sliding collarscoupled to the body, the sliding collars connected to each end of theplurality of bow spring, the sliding collars configured to axially moveresponsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.